By Heather Halbach, AWC Berlin
I am humbled and immensely grateful for my experience at CSW65. Watching COVID tear through the world with such devastation, ripping bare the inequality in our societies and breeding much fear was a source of personal pain over the past year, but witnessing so many compassionate, wise, dedicated and powerful people come together to advocate...
Women are now practising new freedoms in Saudi Arabia. Traditionally draped in their hijabs, Saudi women’s rights have been limited as compared to its neighbouring countries.
At an Arab women’s event at the CSW62 in New York, I took the empty seat next to a Saudi participant who introduced himself as a journalist. I had...
Some notes from the parallel event: "We Have Your Back" (co-sponsored by FAWCO)
Lucina di Meco – “If you are not at the table, you are on the menu.” (re digital and on-line abuse) (trolling)
Social media = a barrier to seeking public office
Chris Segona – League of Women Voters US – “What is not...
On March 20, in the middle of CSW65, the Turkish government annulled the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (known as the Istanbul Convention - ironically) by a decree signed by Turkish President Erdogan.
The Istanbul Convention is based on CEDAW and other human rights treaties of the...
I have always thought that one of the benefits of being a member of FAWCO, and one thing that sets us apart from other groups I have been involved with, is our relationship with the UN. In previous years I have shied away from being part of the CSW delegation, mainly due to the expense...
What is it called when fifty FAWCO feminists join hands across time zones to virtually and collectively inform ourselves on the status of women and their rights?
CSW65 (the UN Commission on the Status of Women)!
This was my first time attending this 2 week conference that I had been wanting to attend for...
Attending CSW65 was a powerful experience, and I am grateful for those at FAWCO who not only encouraged us to join but also guided us during the convention. The WhatsApp group made it feel like we were a team.
The term “Outrage and Optimism” was ever-present in my mind. I was shocked, and deeply...
The UN Commission on the Status of Women proved to be rather overwhelming online, as it is in person, at least minus the need to travel from site to site for sessions. So much information—both disturbing and inspiring.
One of the most moving sessions for me was one on forced (often under-age) marriage in the United...